Effect of graded levels of toasted African locust bean (<i>Parkia biglobosa</i>) seed meal on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens at finishing stage

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of toasted African locust bean seed meal (TALBM) diets on the growth performance, haematological profile and nutrient digestibility of broiler chicken. Two hundred and ten (210) broiler chickens (Marshall Strain) were fed five diets containing toasted African locust bean seed meal (TALBM) at dietary levels of 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30% designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Diets were allocated to birds in a completely randomized design (CRD) and each treatment consisted of 42 birds in three replicates of 14 birds. Proximate composition of feeds and faecal samples were determined in laboratory for nutrients digestibility. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks (5-9weeks). There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the final body weight, total feed intake and total weight gain of broilers fed TALBSM diets. The broilers fed diet 3 had the highest final body weight (2803.87g) compared to other treatments. The blood of broilers fed 15% TALBSM diet gave the highest value pack cell volume (30.67%), haemoglobin counts (10.20g/dl), total glucose (156.22mmol/l) and red blood cell count (4.40 X10⁶/l). Similarly, the results of carcass analysis of broiler chickens showed there were significant differences (P<0.05) in carcass weight, dressing %, breast muscle, drum stick and back weight of broilers. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, breast muscle, drumstick and back values were higher in the 15% TALBSM diet. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in most of organs and gut weights with exception of liver, kidney, small intestine and small intestine length. Crude fibre and nitrogen free extract digestibilities were significantly (P<0.05) affected by treatments. The crude fibre digestibility showed a decreasing trend with increase in the dietary inclusion of toasted African Locust bean meal in the diets. It is concluded that 15% dietary inclusion of TALBSM was adequate without any deleterious effect on performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens at finisher phase with significant reduction in the cost of production.

Keywords: Locust bean seed, Broiler chickens, Performance, Carcass Characteristics